Alliance continues discussion about San Lorenzo River

Santa Cruz >> A community dialogue, led by local arts, business and environmental groups, may mean changes are afoot for the San Lorenzo River and its downtown riverwalk.

The San Lorenzo River Alliance, a partnership founded by the Coastal Watershed Council, an environmental nonprofit, concluded its four-part public forum series Monday at Santa Cruz's Patagonia Outlet. Through live mobile texting polls, surveys and discussion, around 60 people shared ideas on how to improve the river's health and local impact.

Formed in December, the alliance unifies diverse organizations working on river issues, with a leadership committee that includes the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, said Greg Pepping, the Coastal Watershed Council's executive director.

"It's an environmental conversation but it's broader than that," Pepping said. "It's about public safety, economic vitality, drinking water supply and more."

The forums began in January as a way to gain public input, Pepping said. Public art, improved lighting, allowed paddling and a Front Street river cafe with waterfront access have been the top responses thus far, he said.

Santa Cruz resident Tim Loomis attended three of the forums, and said water quality is his priority. Since he began trout fishing in the river two decades ago, he said his yield may not be increasing, but public awareness is.

"The more people that use the river, the better off it's going to be," Loomis said, adding, "Just as long as we don't love it to death."

Santa Cruz resident and Coastal Watershed Council volunteer Tracy Yost said public safety and economic vitality are her main concerns.

"I want to be able to cross the street from Pacific Avenue and feel safe," said Yost, who said she's seen drug use on the riverwalk.

A solution may be having restaurants turn their doors onto the riverfront to give more of a community feel, she said.

Pepping said the alliance plans to publish the feedback from the forums and an online survey available at coastal-watershed.org, and start measuring how many people are using the riverwalk and how much press the river receives. Addressing water quality will take longer, he said.

The alliance's goal is to implement and update the San Lorenzo Urban River Plan, a 20-year plan adopted by the city in 2003, to promote conservation and recreational use. The committee overseeing the plan was dissolved during the recession in 2009.

Former mayor Bruce Van Allen, who helped draft the plan, said habitat restoration projects have not yet been addressed, such as a plan to create sandbars where vegetation can grow. Van Allen, who chaired three river task forces since the 1980s, said he's seen the river's public image change from a flood danger and back alley to a wildlife and recreation asset.

Restoring wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety along the river will take money and a community effort, Van Allen said.

"It offers economic development," Van Allen said. "It runs through the heart of Santa Cruz and it's the reason the city is here."